Russian laser scientist died two days after arrest: "He loved his country"

Last week, he was arrested in Siberia on suspicion of national treason and flew toMoscowdespite suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer Russia A human scientist has died. A lawyer and his family said on Sunday.

Physicist Dmitry Colker 54 was taken from a hospital bed fed via a tube and bundled into a flight to Moscow for more than four hours. rice field. The lawyer said he was taken to Lefortov prison and later died at a nearby hospital.

His cousin Anton Dianov told Reuters in the United States that the accusation against a laser expert-he betrayed state secrets to China-was ridiculous. rice field.

Read more: The head of NASA states that cooperation with Russian colleagues remains. A scientist, he loved his country and he worked there, despite receiving many invitations from prestigious universities and research institutes to work abroad. He wanted to work in Russia, where he wanted to teach students, "he said.

"These accusations are absolutely ridiculous, very cruel and imposed on such sick people. It's unusual. They knew he was on his deathbed and chose to arrest him. "

Family and lawyers said Colker was the FSB's security bureau. He was detained by and stated that his home had been searched. They said the treason (with up to 20 years' imprisonment) was based on a lecture given by Colker in China, even if the content was approved by the FSB.

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Reuters did not receive a reply to the FSB's email request for comment.

of a lawyer Alexander Fedurov contacts authorities on behalf of Colker, who told Reuters that he had attempted, but was separated from the FSB's investigation department and prison.

He said he would file a legal allegation on the status of Colker's detention on Monday.

On Saturday, state news agency TASS unveiled Russia a second scientist in Novosibirsk on suspicion of national treason. He said he was detained. It was not clear if the two cases were related.

In recent years, many Russian scientists have been arrested and charged with treason for handing over confidential materials to foreigners. Kremlin critics say arrests often result from unfounded delusions.

Cousin Dianov said Colker was also a very skilled concert pianist and organist who played in both Russia and Europe.

"For me, someone who was producing such a beautiful thing wouldn't have been able to blame him, and that's the way I remember him." He said, holding back tears. "That's a dima for me and my family."

(Report by Reuters, edited by Alexandra Hudson)

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